Kevin Costner praises Chris Pine

Kevin Costner says Chris Pine carried himself well on the 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' set and thinks he ''understands'' the responsibility of being the male lead.

Kevin Costner says Chris Pine ''understands'' the responsibility of being the male lead in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit'.

The 59-year-old actor was complementary of his co-star - who took over the role of Jack Ryan from previous franchise stars Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck in latest film - and thinks he carried himself well while they were filming the thriller.

During an interview with denofthegeek.com, Costner said: ''He controls himself really well on set. He knows what he's doing. He understands this kind of 'leading man' responsibility. He's 6 ft and he's white and there's this certain kind of thing that you have to do.''

Oscar-winning star - who was cast as Thomas Harper - thinks it's difficult to be the protagonist since you can't get ''away with all the tricks'' which can be used when playing an eccentric character or a villain.

He added: ''It's a kind of thing you learn how to do without doing lisps and accents and limps. You can't get away with all the tricks you get to play as a character actor.

''Sometimes as a leading man what makes you almost boring is that you've got to stand there and take people through the movie. You don't get to do what all the people who play the bad guy or the eccentric get to do. It's hard sometimes, because you go, 'Am I doing enough here?' It's not an easy thing, which is why there aren't a lot of guys who can fill those shoes.''